Ignition means



Jan. l, 194

J. R. FREI IGNITION MEANS Filed Oct. 15, 194:2l 4 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY .121111, 1946, J. R. FREI 2,391,958

IGNITION MEANS Filed oor. 15, 1942 4 sheets-sheet 2 l y 1| f i 1 FlrchZ sz 1NVENTOR. ZM; BY M TTORNEY Jan. 1, 1946. 1 R, FRE; 2,3%,958

IGNITION MEANS Filed Oct. l5, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

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Jan. 1, 1946. J R, FRE, 2,391,959

IGNITION MEANS Filed Oct. l5, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Has 3 Patented Jan.. i9 i946 @TNT KGNH'IPHN MEANS dirimir R. lFrei, Sidney, N. il., assigner to Bendix Aviation Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation ol Delaware Appiication ctober 15, i942, Serial No. 462,126

(Ci. 'M3-M8) 28 iiaims.

This invention relates to ignition apparatus for internal combustion engines or the like andmore particularly to the current generating and distributing means for supplying electrical current to a plurality of spark plugs in predetermined succession.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel high tension current distributing apparatus for the ignition system of an internal combustion engine which is so constructed as to facilitate connection thereof to the engine and a radio-shielding harness and also to facilitate inspection, repair and adjustment thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel distributor mechanism for high tension current which is so constructed that the stationary and rotatable terminals or electrodes thereof may be readily inspected while in assembled relation to each other.

Another object is to provide a high tension distributor for ignition systems embodying a novel casing wherein the distributor cables and the rotary distributor element are housed in separate compartments.

Still another object is to provide a novel high tension current distributing apparatus which is adapted to be combined in a novel manner with a radio-shielding harness manifold.

Still another object is to provide an ignition distributor combined in a novel manner with pump means for supercharging the interior of the distributor casing as well as other parts or an ig nition system connected thereto and the radio shielding therefor.

'A further object is to provide a novel supercharged radio-shielded ignition system wherein the possibility of ignition failures which vmight occur at high altitudes as a result of the raz-ined atmosphere is minimized.

A still further object is to provide novel rotary and reciprocating pump 'means adapted to be novelly combined with parts of an ignition system for supercharging the latter.

Still another object is to provide a novelly constructed rotor for rotary pumps adapted for use in a current distributor of the above type.

Another object is to provide av novel supercharged unit for an ignition system of an internal combustion engine embodying valve means for maintaining a predetermined pressure in said unit irrespective of the atmospheric pressure outside said unit.

Another object is to provide a novel current distributing mechanism for an ignition system which is so constructed that the means for fastening .the

same to an engine are enclosed by the distributor casing.

A further object is to provide a high tension current distributor which is so constructed as to minimize detrimental eects which might result from misaligrment of parts resulting from vibration, machining tolerances, improper installation, or the like.

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description when the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to define the limits of the invention, reference for this latter purpose being had primarily to the appended claims.,

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like or similar corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Fig. l. is a half sectional elevation, with parts broken away, showing one form of the novel distributor mechanism comprehended by the present invention connected with the manifold of a radioshielding harness, the section of the distributor cover being taken substantially on line i-l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view, with parts broken away, the section being taken substantially on line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view, with parts broken away, taken substantially on line 3-3 oi' Fig. 1;

Fig. d is a detail plan view of t e rotary distributor element shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation. of said rotary distributing element, the section being taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation. with parts broken away and parts removed, showing a modified form of the distributor of Fig. 1 combined with novel reciprocating pump meansfor supercharging the distributor casing;

Fig. 7 is a partial sectional elevation showing the distributor combined in a novel manner with a novel rotary superchargirg pump, the section of said pump being taken substantially on line 1-1 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing the pump of Fig. 7, the section being taken substantially on line 8-8 of Fig. '1;

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional elevation showing a modified form of rotary pump adapted for use in tially on line Ill-I li of Fig. 9; and,

Fig. 10 ig a sectional view of the pump illustrated in Fig. 9, the section being taken substan- Fig. 1l is a diagrammatic view illustrating the ignition system for a duel ignition engine embodying two of the supercharged distributors compre. hendedY by the present invention .and a double magneto.

One embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, by way of example, in Figs. l to 5 in the form oi a novelty constructed ignition device adapted i'or distributing high tension current from asmagneto or other suitable source oi' electrical current to spark plugs in a plurality o en gine cylinders, said distributor device being adapted for direct mechanical connection to a radio-shielding harness maniipld for the spark plug leads and to the casing of the engine or magneto in connection with which it is used. The novel distributor unit comprehended is so constructed as to permit easy inspection ci the parts thereof without removing any major 'parts of the device from the engine and without disturbingY the normal operating relationship of the stationary and movable distributorterminals or electrodes. The unit is also novelly constructed and lso connected to the engine casing that the detrimental eiects of vibration are minimized.

As shown, the novel distributor unit of the invention comprises a main casing member i which is preferably metallic and serves as radio-shielding means for the electrical parts, said casing member being generally cylindrical in shape. The upper end of the distributor casing is closed by metallic cover 2 and the lower end is provided with annular covering plate which is provided with a central opening d, and is secured in position by means of bolts b and 8 in Ia manner to be more fully described hereafter. Although none are shown in Fig. 1, suitable set screws or studs may be provided for connecting plate 3 directly to housing member I. Within the latter ar'd at the base thereof, there is an annular or torus-like 'chamber l separated from the remaining space in the distributor casing by a horizontal, transversely extending annular wall or ange e and an adjoining cylinder-like wall 9 which terminates at its lower end in the plane ci the lower edge of housing member i l Chamber or compartment l has an opening iii formed in the outer wall of member i; which is surrounded by a laterally extending ange il by means cf which the distributor unit is directly connected to a shielding harness manifold it that is only partially shown. vSaid manifold may be of any suitable type but is preferably of the cast type'having a cover i211, as illustrated in Spengler et al. U. S. application Serial No. 271,- 220, iiled May 1, 1939. Cover ida is provided with a suitable opening which registers with opening AIii and, hence, permi direct access from chamber i tothe interior of manifold i2. The bottom of chamber in addition to being closed by plate 3, is also preferably covered by thin sheet metal ring it, which may be'pressed into the po' sition illustrated, and small portions of casing member i may be pressed or spiked into overlapping relation therewith at suitable intervals.

Mounted in wall portion it, which denes the In the form shown. each of said terminals comprises a tubular insulator IB that has threaded engagement with a boss formed on wall a and extends through the latter from chamber i to the main chamber I6 of the distributor casing. A metallic tube l'|-is'preerably molded into in= sulator i5 and has secured thereto in any suitupper side of chamber l, are a plurality of insulated terminals or electrodes M, the latter being circularly arranged and equal in number to the spark plugs to be served by the dlstrblltOr mit.

able manner, such as by soldering, an outgoing or spark plug conductor I8. A terminal pin i@ is threaded into sleeve I1 and is locked by a nut 20 in an adjusted position for cooperation with rotating electrodes to be hereafter described. A conductor i8 housed in chamber 'i is thus connected to each stationary terminal le extending.

into chamber I6 and passes out through opening il) into harness manifold i2. Each of said conductors preferably terminates in an insulated socket 2l of the manifold for connection with a plug-in connector of a spark plug lead in a manner well understood in the art..

It will be noted that wall s, e and insulated terminals Id constitute a partition which prevents any access of gases from one of the compartments l and I6 to the other. Chamber i6 is preferably provided with any suitable, wellknown type of ventilator for connecting the same with atmosphere and which will tend to exclude moisture. If either of said compartments are supercharged a small vent may be provided for connecting the same to atmosphere to insure suilicient lcirculation to prevent entrance or ac cumulation of moisture and excessive ionization of the air. V

In addition to being rigidly secured to harness manifold i2, which is in turn rigidly secured to the engine casing, the novel distributor bowl I, 3, as described above, is also rigidly secured teem gine casing 22, only a, portion of which is shown, by means of a plurality of studbolts 5. The latter extend through ears 23 projecting laterally K bolt holes in the engine casing after manifold `I2 is secured in position, the openings in said ears and plate have a somewhat larger diameter than bolts 5 or may be elongated.

The rotatable element 2d of the distributor which is adapted to successively deliver high tension current to terminals i9 is carried by a novel drive unit which is mounted Within casing bowl l,

3 and rigidly secured to engine housing 22. As shown in` Fig. l, the drive unit comprises a supporting structure or bearing member 2b which has a plurality of laterally projecting ears 2e that rest on the upper surface of plate 3 and have openings for the passage oi stud bolts 6 which extend freely and with substantial clearance through plate 3 and threadedly engage engine casing 22 to thereby secure said drive unit and distributor housing to said casing. To insure proper positioning of the axis of rotation of the driving unit, member 25 has a pilot portion 2l which extends into a circular opening in engine casing 22 and a pilot 21a that ts into opening i in plate 3.

Rotatably supported in member 25, such as by ball bearings 28,' 28, are novel rotatable means for coupling distributor element 2d to an engine drive member (not shown) whereby small, angular adjustments of said element relative to the driving member may be readily and quickly effected without disconnecting the distributor or illustrated, said coupling means comprises a aaai-,aes

' 23 and having external splines 30 for drivably engaging the engine drive member.v A shaft 3i extends through sleeve 29 and is adiustably connected thereto by coupling means 32 of the type disclosed in Spengler Patent No. 2,266,283. Said coupling comprises a ring 33 loosely journaled on shaft 3I and having oppositely sloping ratchet teeth on the opposed faces thereof for engagement with similar teeth on the end of sleeve 23 andthe enlarged lower end of shaft3I. The number of teeth on opposite faces of ring 33 differsby one, thereby permitting a very fine, angular adjustment, the minimum adjustment being determined by the -number of the teeth.

In the form illustrated, the upper end of shaft 3| has splined engagement with a sleeve member 34 which has a portion thereof loosely journaled in driving sleeve 29. The rotating parts of the drive unit are held in assembled relation as a rigid rotating entity by a nut 35 threaded onto shaft 3| into engagement with sleeve member 34. Suitable resilient means are preferably provided for the purpose of yieldably holding the teeth of coupling 32 in operative engagement when nut 33 is loosened to permit angular adjustment through the medium of the coupling, and in the embodiment of Fig. 1, said means are constituted by a spring 39 interposed between nut 35 and sleeve member 34. f

Distributor element 24, as shown, comprises a body 31 of molded insulating material, such as hard rubber, Melmac, or Bakelite, which is secured to a flange of sleeve member 34 by suitable stud bolts that extend through openings 38 (Fig. 4) in said insulating body. A central terminal 39 onbody 31 is electrically connected with a metallic electrode strip 40 molded into said body and extending radially therefrom into spark gap relation with stationary terminals I9. The outer end oi' electrode 49 is preferably flattened and moves in a circle above terminals I9 whereby a uniform spark gap is maintained irrespective of whether or not the axis of shaft 3| passes through the center of the circle on which terminals I9 are arranged. A second electrode strip 4I (Fig. 4) similar to but lagging behind electrode 40 is electrically connected with a metallic ring 42 "molded into but projecting above body 31. -Central terminal 39 (Fig. 5) preferably comprisesva. carbon brush element 43 l 3 be connected to a main source of current, such as a magneto, and the plug for socket 5| may be connected to a source of booster current adapted to supply energy for starting the engineon which the distributor unit is mounted.

'I'he internal walls of casing I, 2 and harness manifold I2, I2a are preferably spray-coated with a thin coating (not illustrated) of insulating material to provide insurance against any undesirable ilashovers from high tension conductors to ground. A The interiors of chamber 1 and of harness manifold I2 are also preferably/illled with a suitable insulating compound or material 54 to, avoidany accumulation of moisture therein and to prevent vibratory-movement and resultant chang of the insulated conductors I3. One substance which has been found to be suitable for this 'purpose is polymerizedcashew-nutshell oil in a yieldable solid state. The processed oil may be mixed with a suitable drying agent. such as formaldehyde or paraformaldehyde and inserted in the casing in liquid form. 'I 'he procilxed in the head portion of a screw 44 but may be of a type suitable for a. spark gap connection with a source of high tension current.

Means for conducting the high tension cur# rent from suitable sources to terminal 39 and,

ring 42 for distribution through fingers 4 0 and 4I arenovelly mounted in cover 2. As shown,

an insulating block 45 is secured in a raised portion oi said cover by any suitable means, such as a plurality of studs 46, which threadedly engage bosses depending. from the inner surface of said cover. Molded into block 45 are a conducting element 4l having a cup-like portion for re.

essing of the oil may be accomplished in accordance with the disclosures of U. S. patents issued to The Harvel Corporation. If desired, either or both the harness manifold and chainber 1 may be supercharged with air or other gas under pressure in lieu of being filled.

The invention also contemplates novel pump means novelly combined with the above-described distributor unit for the purpose of maintaining the pressure in chamber I6 and/or other parts of the ignition system above that of the atmos'- phere outside -the enclosing casing to thereby render the apparatus more eiiicient, more effective and safer in its operation at high altitudes in rarefled atmosphere. As shown inV Fig. 6, -a diaphragm pump is mounted on the distribu- 'tor unit for operation ina novel manner by distributor shaft 29, 3i. Pump'55 is secured to a radially extending portion 59 formed on casing member I opposite opening I9, said casing portion having an annular chamber 51. Connected with the atmosphere outside the distributor unit through opening 59 to whichsuitable dirt and moisture filters may be connected if this is necessary or desirable under operating conditions. When diaphragm 59 of the pump is moved toward the left, as viewed in the drawings, air is drawn from chamber 51 through a tube 60 and a one-way valve mechanism GI ofany suitable known design into chamber 62 of the pump. Upon movement of the diaphragm to the right, air within the pump chamber is forced out through a one-way valve mechanism763 oi' any suitable known construction and, thence, through a tube 64, pump chamber 65 and passages 69 and 61 intochamber I6 of the distributor. If desired, a suitable relief valve may be provided for limiting the pressure thus established in chamber I-G by consistent reciprocation of diaphragm 59 as hereinafter described or a bleed port 61a may be provided to insure adequate crculation within compartment I 6. If desired, an

.' opening may alsov be provided from chamber 65d into chamber' l if the latter is not filled with an insulating compound. y

Diaphragm 59 is preferably actuated during its suction stroke by atmospheric pressure on one face thereof and resilient means, such as a compression spring 68, interposed between the wall of the pump and-a collar on a rod l0, which is journaled in said pump wall and is operatively attached to'diaphragm 59. The free end of rod 79 is recessed for receiving the end of'a second push rod 'i i which is Journaled in a porous bronze bushing set in a specially formed portion of wall 8 in casing i, and engages a third push rod 12. The latter rod is`journaled for reciprocation in the upper half 13 of 9, two-part supporting unit orv from any connection with bearing means 13, li.

Novel means are provided within support 13, lli for actuating push rod l2 to eiect the pumping strokes of diaphragm 59, As shown, said means comprises a sleeve i8 drivably connected by bearings92 and sleeve 88 on. the other hand-to maintain a desirable operating clearance between end platesp9l and rotor 89. The pump casing is surrounded in the hollow of support 88, 8B by a felt or similar pad 93 which serves as a cushion and may be soaked with oil for lubricating the bearing surfaces between the rotating and stationary parts. Fresh Vlubricating oil may be inserted at an opening normally closed by a removable plug 96 Yand suitable sealing members 95 may be provided at the roller bearings around shaft 2e to minimize leakage of air and oil.

Air from outside the distributor unit is admitted to the pump through a passage triormed in parts 8, 86 and 83 and thence through an inlet port Sl in the wall'of casing cylinder t I. The air is compressed as rotor 85, 85 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow (Fig. 8) within a comsplines, keys or the like to shaft member 2d andl having a circular ange or collar 'i9 formed thereon but eccentric with respect thereto. A ball or roller bearing 8G having inner and outer races is mounted on eccentric iiange i9 and push rod l2 `is yieldably held in engagement with'the outer race of said bearing by spring 6d. Thus, as sleeve le and the inner race of bearing 8d are rotated, the outer race of said bearing and, hence, rod l2 will be periodically moved to the right for edecting a pumping stroke of diaphragm 59. The return or suction stroke of the diaphragm is eected by spring 58. Ii desired, a lubricating medium may be placed within support i3, 'Hl and a grease cup @i may be provided for lubricating the bearing of rod ll. An oil soaked wick W20; may be provided for lubricating rod l2 through the porous metal bushing in-whlch it slides.

For the purpose of reducing to a minimum the leakage of air from chamber it around the rotating parts, suitable sealing means may be provided. In the form shown, a shait seal 82 which' may be of any suitable design, such as a Gits seal, is provided in supporting member le around the lower portion of sleeve id. Leakage of lubricating oil is also cbviated by seal 8a.

partment formed by the rotor, casingJ QQ, el and a vane 89, the latter being held in engagement with the wall of casing member si by centrifugal action. Preferably, eachl compartment remains in communication with inlet 97 through a groove 'Sia until the volume thereof is a maximum. The compressed air is discharged through a port 99 (Fig. 8) in casing member 9i and thence into chamber le through a passageV (not shown) drilled in supporting member 83 or through an opening in screw plug 99. If desired, a connection may be provided from the discharge side of the pump to chamber l.

Inlet and outlet ports 91 and 98 are connected with the associated passages in member 33 in a novel manner so as not to interfere with movements of the pump casing relative to support 33, 8d. As shown, the connecting means at each port comprises a tube lill) of resilient material or other suitable material which extends from the passage springs ll which are held in place by screw plugs lin the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, l

novel supercharging pump means are illustrated as being wholly contained in a novel manner within the interior of drive unit support or bearing means 83, 3d which corresponds with support 25 of Fig. l and means i3, 'l of Fig. 6. Said pump means is of the rotary, vane type and comprises a novelly constructed rotor which includes a sleeve 85 operably connected to shaft member 2t for rotation therewith and a, molded plastic or phenolic body portion 86 rigidly held in place on sleeve Q5 by a plurality of retaining elements 8l that are secured, such as by screw threads, to said sleeve. Body portion 86 of the rotor is provided with a plurality of radial slots 88 (Fig. 8) in which vanes are adapted to slide. The casing of said pump means comprises a pair of annular end plates te, tfsuitably secured at the peripheries thereof to a cylinder 9i, said casing having the axis thereof eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation of rotor 85, 86. 92, 92 may be mounted in end plates @il and interposed between said plates and rotating sleeve 85 to reduce wear and prevent seizing. Casing Sli, 9| is free for slight axial movement relative to sleeve 85 to insure proper alignment of the pump casing and rotor during operation. Thrust washers 92a are interposed between the inner Suitable bearing rings If desired, a suitable pressure relief valve may be provided for limting the pressure within chamber I6 and for maintaining said pressure relatively constant at all altitudes. A bellows oper ated valve structure or other suitable pressure operated valve means may be secured to one side of casing member l for this purpose.l The valve structure shown comprises a valve HB2 which is normally held by a bellows B in position to close a passage it. Bellows B of the valve structure -are sealed and are so constructed that the same exert a closing pressure upon valve HD2. The. exterior surface of the bellows is subjected to the pressure existing within chamber I6, which pressure tends to collapse the bellows and open the valve. When the pressure in chamber I is high enough to cause =the bellows to collapse and open valve IGZ, air will escape from said chamber through port itil and passage |03, thereby decreasing the pressure Within casing I. When the pressure in chamber I6 drops again to the maximum pressure desired therein, valve H12 is closed automatically by the expanding action of bellows B.` As shown, passage f0r`the inlet to the pressure pump is connected to atmosphere through a hollow portion of the relief valve casing whereby a conduit |05 may be lead to any location for the purpose of avoiding detrimental eects of air ycurrents and for avoiding the entrance of moisture, dirt, or the like.

A modication of the pump and driving unit of races of ball bearings 29 on the one hand and 75 Fig- 7 -iS ShOWn in Figs. 9 and 10. In the modied structure, the rotor body is keyed yor otherwise suitably connected with sleeve 01 for rotary movement therewith and axial movement relative thereto. Said rotor body is preferably provided with internal recesses |08 to reduce the weight thereof. 'I'he pump casing comprises a cylinder |09,l end plates H0, H0 and bearing rings Ill which are similar to but formed and assembled slightly differently from the corresponding parts of the unit of Fig. 7. as will be evident from the drawings. Additionally, pump casing |09, H0 is rigidly clamped between supporting members H3 and H4, the rotor |08, ll being free to move axially into proper alignment with said casing. Bearing rings lil are iitted into plates H0 and extend slightly beyond the inner faces of said plates nfor engagement with thrust rings illa of case hardened steel or like material Yset in rotor |06; An operating clearance is thus maintained at all times between plates l ill and rotor |06, thereby reducing 'wear and greatly reducing the amount of lubrication required. Oil soaked wick means iid may lbe provided at opposite ends of the pump to assure proper lubrication of the bearing surfaces. f

The driving connecting between shaft means 29, di and the rotors of the pumps in Figs., 7 to l0 is preferably in the form of a sheerable key or pin so that serious damage will be averted in case the parts of the pump should seize. Continued operation of the distributor and hence the ignition system would also be assured even if the pump should fail. A frictional or other yieldable drive could also be provided with the same results. v

Another novel feature of the invention resides y in the provision of a novel supercharged ignition system fordual ignition engines embodying the above-described distributor units whereby the possibility of operating failures, particularly at high altitudes, is minized. As shown in Fig. il, said system comprises a double magneto lvl or any suitable design, such as kshown in .my copening application Serial No. 430,554, tiled February l2, 1942, having a relatively air-tight casing and two distributor units D of the character described above mounted on the engine at opposite sides ci' the magneto and connected to shielding harness manifold l2 which is also connected to the en lgine casing. Chamber I6 of each oi the disation oi said engines in the rarefied air at high altitudes. Said system embodies one or more novel distributors which are so constructed as to make inspection and repair thereof easy and to insure the maintenance of a uniform spark gap Ibetween the rotating and stationary terminals, thereby insuring better and more eilcient operation. Additionally, said distributor is novelly combined with supercharging pump means which are in turn novelly constructed to render the same adaptable in the distributor.

Although only a limited number of embodiments and modications of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be expressly understood that various changes, particularly in the design and arrangement of parts, may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. For

a deilnition of the limits of the invention, reference is had primarily to the appended claims.

What is claimed is: l. In a radio-shielded ignition system for an internal combustion engine, a shielding harness comprising a manifold for enclosing conductors leading to the spare. plugs of said engine, a pair of distributors secured to said manifold and engine, each oi said distributors comprising a me tallic casing, a rotary current distributing element in said casing, and means dividing said casu ing into a first chamber for housing said rotary element and a second chamber for housing the end portions of said conductors, said means including a plurality of cireularly arranged terminals for bringing said conductors into conducting relation with said rotary element, a magneto generator mounted on said engine for supplying high tension current to the rotary elements of said distributors, a fluid pressure pump in each 4@ of said distributor casings for supplying air untributor units is connected by a conduit i it to the interior of the magneto casing. The air in the latter is thus maintained under the saine pressure as distributor chambers it by the pumps in the distributor units. In the event the pump in either of said distributor units should fail, the entire system, including both distributor units and the magneto, would be supplied with air under pressure from the other distributor. If desired. the filling of the harness manifold i2 may be dispensed with and the interior thereof connected with chambers i6 of the distributor units or directly with pumps. In this manner a continuous circulation of air through the distributors, the magneto, the shielding harness, and even the wells of the spark plug shields to which the shielding harness is connected may be maintained. it is preferable to provide one or more small bleed or leakage holes in the supercharged units to thereby insure proper circulation of air therethrough.

There is thus provided a novel and advantau geous supercharged radio-shielded ignition sysI tem for internal combustion engines which: is adapted tvo-insure eiiicient and dependable operder pressure to the interior of said first chambei'| common means for drivably connecting the rotary element and pump in each distributor to said engine, and conduit means connecting said rst chamber of each ci said casings to the hous-v ing of said magneto whereby either oi said pumps may supply air under pressure to both of said distributor casings and said magneto housing.

2. in a radio-shielded ignition system for an internal combustion engine, a shielding harness' comprising a manifold mounted on the engine, a pair of distributors secured to said engine and manifold, each of said distributors comprising a metallic casing, a plurality oi circularly arranged terminals in said casing, each of said terminals being connected with a spark. plug oi the engine by a conductor extending through said harness, and a rotary current distributing element in said casing adapted to successively cooperate with said terminals, a magneto generator mounted on said engine for simultaneously supplying high tension current to said rotary elements, a :duid pressure pump in each of said distributor casings. and air conduits connecting said distribu tor casings to the magneto housing.

3. In a radio-shielded ignition system for an internal combustion engine, a radio-shielding harness comprising a manifold secured to said engine, a pair of distributors secured to said engine, each of said distributors comprising a .metallic casing, means comprising a partitioning Wall and a plurality of circularly arranged terminals dividing said casing into two compartments, said means being adapted to prevent access of gases from one of said compartments to the other, and a rotary current distributing element in one of said compartments adapted to cooperate 'with said terniixutlsI conductors extending from said terminals through the other of said compartments and said harness to the spart. plugs of said engine, a magneto generator mounted on said engine for supplying high tension current tojsaid rotary elements, separate fluid pressure means for supplying air under pressure to said one oisaid compartments in each of said distributor casings, and air conduit means connecting said last-named compartments to the interior of the housing of said magneto.

l e. In radio-shielding means for an ignition system embodying an ignition distributor having a plurality of stationary insulated terminals and a rotary distributing element operatively associated with said terminals, a radio-shielding manifold for ignition conductors, and a metallic housing for saidterminals and-element rigidly intercon-A nected with said manifold, the interior of said housing being divided into a rst compartment for housing said rotary element and a torus-like second compartment having 'direct communication with the interior of said manifold for housing the ends of said ignition conductors extending from said distributor terminals directly into said manifold.

"1. In a distribution system for high tensionl electrical current, the combination comprising a casing adapted to be divided into a torus-like chamber for housing distributing cables in an atmosphere of iiuid dielectric under pressure and another chamber for housing a rotary distributing member, and a partition in said casing adapted to prevent access of fluid 4irorn one of said chambers to the other, said partition includingl terminal mountings whereby the ends oi cables housed in said torus-like chamber may be lbrought into conducting relation with the rotaryv4 distributing member in the other chamber.

8. In apparatus o the class described, the coinbination comprising a casing adapted to be divided into a torus-like compartment ior housing distributing cables and a second compartment for housing a rotary distributing member,

and a partition in said casing adapted to prevent access oi' gases from the second compartment to the torus-like compartment, said partition including terminal mountings whereby the ends oi cables housed in said torus-like compartment may be brought into conductive relation with said rotary distributing member in the second compartment.

said source and operatively associated with said v stationary terminals, a rigid metallic radio-shielding manifold for at least portions of a plurality of said electrical conductors, and at least one rigid metallic housing for said stationary terminals rigidly interconnected with said manifold, said housing comprising a bowl-like portion having a torus-like compartment therein for housing the end portions of said electrical conductors extending from said terminals into said manifold, said compartment having direct communication with the interior of said manifold.

6. In apparatus for radio-shielding Athe ignition system of an internal combustion engine wherein electrical energy from a source of such energy is distributed to the spark plugs of an engine by a distributor comprising a. plurality of insulated stationary terminals connectedl to spark plugs by electrical conductors and a movable contact element electrically connected tosaid source and operatively associated with said stationary terminals, a rigid metallic radioshielding manifold forl at least portions of a plurality of said electrical conductors, at vleast one rigid metallic housing for saidstationary terminals rigidly interconnected with said manifold, the interior of said housing being divided into a torus-like first compartment having direct communication with the interior rof said manifold for housing the end portions of said electrical conductors extending from said terminals into said manifold and `a second compartment having said movable contact element housed therein, said element being adapted to successively cooperate with said terminals during rotation thereof, and means mounted on and removable with a cover constituting an end of said casing for conducting current from a source of electrical current to said element.

9. In an ignition distrioutor,VV a hollow casing` vcomprising a body portion and a cover removably secured to said body portion, a plurality o stationary circularly arranged terminals mounted in and insulated from said body portion, bearing means in but separate from said body portion and centrally disposed with respect to said terminals, means for detachabiy and separately securing said body portion and bearing means to a common support, such as the housing of an engine, andmeans extending through and rotatably supported by said bearing means including a current,- distributing element operably associated with' said terminals.

10. In an ignition distributor, a hollow casing comprising a body portion and a cover removably secured to said -body portion, a plurality oi stationaryI circularly Varranged terminals mounted in and insulated from said body portion, bearing means in said `body portion centrally disposed with respect to said terminals. means -for detach- -ably securing said body portion and bearing means to a common support, such as the housing of an engine, means extending through and rotatably supported by said bearing means including a current distributing element operably associated with said terminals, and uid pressure pump means mounted in said bearing means and drivably connected with said rotatable' means for pumping air under pressure into said. casing.

l1. In an ignition distributor, a hollow metallic casing comprising a body portion and a cover removably secured to said body portion, a plurality of stationary circularly arranged terminals mounted in andinsulated from said body portion, bearing means in and separate from said body portion centrally disposed with respect' to said terminals, means forseparately detachably securing said body portion' and bearing means to a. common support, means rotatably supported by said bearing means including 4a current distributing element rotatable in spark gap relation to said terminals, and means mounted in and removable with said cover for conducting electrical current to said element, whereby said element and terminals may be viewed in operative assembled relation when said cover is removed.

12. In a distributor mechanism -iorhlgh tension electrical current, a casing, a rotary current distributing member housed in said casing, means dividing said casing into a first chamber for housing said rotary member and a torus-like second chamber for housing current conducting cables. said means including a plurality of electrodes for successively electrically connecting said cables with said rotary member during rotation oi the latter, and iiuid pressure pump means within said first chamber having parts rotatable with said rotary member, the discharge side of said pump means being connected with the interior of said casing.

13. In a distributor mechanism for high tension electrical current having a rotary current distributing member, the combination of a casing, a partitioning wall in said casing dividing the latter into a nrst chamber for housing said rotary member and a torus-like second chamber for housing current conducting cables, a portion of said wall having a plurality of circularly dis-` posed openings therein, and a terminal mounted in each of said openings for cooperation with said rotary member and insulated from said casing whereby said cables may be brought into conducting relation with said rotary member.

14. In a distributor mechanism for high tension electrical current having a rotary current distributing member, the combination of a casing and means dividing said casing into a ,first chamber for housing said rotary member, and a torus-like second chamber for housing current conducting cables, said means comprising a wall fixed to said casing and a plurality of circularly arranged terminals mounted in said wall and insulated from said casing, each of said terminals having one end thereof connected to one of said cables and the other end thereof extending into conducting relation with said rotary meinber.

15. In a distributor mechanism for high tension electrical current having a rotary current distributingmember, the combination of a metallic casing and means dividing said casing into a rst chamber for housing said rotary member and a torus-like second chamber for housing current conducting cables, said means including a metallic wall and a plurality of insulated terminals mounted in said wall for bringing said cables into conducting relation with said rotary member.

16. In a distributor mechanism for high ten sion electrical current comprising a rotary current distributing member, the combination of a metallic casing and means dividing said casing into a rst chamber for housing said rotary member and a torus-like second, chamber for housing current conducting cables, said means comprisinga metallic wall having angularly disposed portions fixed to said casing and a plurality of circularly disposed insulated terminals individually removably mounted in said wall, the ends of said terminals within said iirst chamber extending into conductive relation with said rotary member during rotation of the latter and the other `ends thereof being electrically connected with cables housed in said second chamber.

17. In a distributor mechanism for high tension electrical current having a rotary current distributing member, the combination of a casing and means including a metallic wall dividing said casing into a iirst chamber for housing said rotary distributing 'member and a torus-like second chamber for housing current conducting cables, said means also including a plurality of insulated terminals for successively bringing said cables into conductive relation with said rotary member during rotation of the latter.

18. In a distributor mechanism for high tensionV electrical current having a rotary current distributing member, the combination of a casing and means dividing said casing into a rst chamber for housing said rotary distributing member and a torus-like second chamber for housing current conducting cables, said means including a metallic wall and a plurality of insulated terminals mounted in said wall for successively bringing said cables into conductive relation 'with said rotary member during rotation of the latter, and a solid insulating substance lling the space in said second chamber around said cables.

19. In a distributing mechanism for high tension electrical current, the combination comprising a casing adapted to be divided into a first chamber for housing a rotary distributing member and a torus-like second chamber for housing distributing cables, and partitioning means in said casing adapted to prevent access of gases from one of said chambers to the other, said partitioning means including a metallic wall and insulated terminals removably mounted therein whereby the ends oi cables housed in said second chamber may be brought into conductive relation with said rotary distributing member in said iirst chamber.

20. In a distributor mechanism for high tension electrical current, a casing, rotatable means extending `into one end of said casing, a current distributing element mounted on said means for rotation therewith within said casing, and means dividing said casing into a first chamber for housing said element and a torus-like second chamber surrounding said rotatable means for housing distributing cables, said dividing means including a plurality of terminals for successively electrically connecting said cables with said element during rotationof the latter.

2l. In a distributor mechanism for high tension electrical current, a casing, rotatable shaft means extending through and rotatably supported in one end of said casing, a current distributing element mounted on said shaft means for rota= tion therewith within said casing, means dividing the interior of said casing into a plurality of chambers, one of said chambers being torus-like and surrounding said shaft means, said dividing means including a partitioning wall extending from the side wall of said casing to one end wall thereof, and a plurality of circularly arranged insulated terminals removably mounted in said partitioning wall for bringing cables in said torus-like chamber and connected to said terminals into conductive relation with said current distributing element.

22. In apparatus of theV class described, a casing comprising a bowl-like portion and a cover therefor, said bowl-like portion having a toruslike chamber adjacent the base thereof, said chamber being formed at least partially by a partitioning wall, a plurality of insulated termi nals individually removably mounted in said wall for connection with distributing cables housed in said torus-like chamber, a rotary current distributing element rotatably mounted in said bowl-like portion for successive cooperation with said terminals, and means for connecting said rotary distributor element with va source of high tension current including a terminal mounted in and insulated from said cover.

23. An ignition distributor comprising a metallic casing, means dividing said casing into two compartments, one of which is torus-like, said means comprising a metallic wall, a plurality ofl circularly arranged electrodes and an insulator for each of said electrodes, each of said insulators having threaded engagement with said metallic wall and having one of said electrodes embedded therein for electrical connection with a cable in said torus-like compartment, and rotatable means in said casing including an electrode adapted to successively cooperate with said first-named electrodes.

24. An ignition distributor comprising a rne-a tallic casing, means dividing said-casing into two compartments, one of which is torus-like, said means comprising a metallic wall, a plurality of circularly arranged electrodes and an insulator for each of said electrodes,r each oi said insulators havingthreaded engagement with said metallic wall and having one onsaid electrodes embedded therein for electrical connection .with a cable in said torus-like compartment, rotatable means in said casing including an electrode adapted ,to successively cooperate with said rstnamed electrodes, and means for supplying high tension electrical current tov said rotatable elec-4 trode including a., terminal mounted in and insulated froma removable cover portion of 'said casing.

25. In an ignition distributor, a casing comprising a hollow metallic body portion having an intern-al transversely extending iiange interme diate the ends thereof, a plurality of terminals mounted in and insulated from said flange, rotatable meanshextending into one end oisaid casing and surrounded by said flange, a current distributing element mounted on said rotatable means for rotation therewith in spark gap relation f'ith the ends of said terminals most remote" from said end of the casing, a cover for said casing body portion constituting the other end of ascisse said casing adapted to successively cooperate with said terminals, rotatable means for drivably connecting said element to driving means therefor, and fluid pressure pump means in said casing drivably connected to said rotatable connecting means for operation thereby, the output side of said pump means being connected to the interior of said casing, said pump means comprising a reciprocating member and cam means operatively connected to said rotatable means for actuating said member.

27. In an ignition distributor, a casing, a plurality of circularly arranged terminals in said casing, a rotary current distributing element in said casing adapted to successively cooperate with said terminals, rotatable means for drivably connecting said element to driving, means therefor, and fluid pressure pump means in said casing drivably connected to said rotatable connecting means for operation thereby, the output side of said pump means being connected to the interior of said casing, said pump means comprising a A 'cylindrical housing mounted in said casing for limited movement relative thereto yieldable means resisting movement of said housing and a rotor eccentrically disposed in said housing and rigidly connected to said rotatable means for rotationthere'with. y

28. Inan ignition distributor, a casing, a pluralityof circularly arranged terminals in said casing, a rotary current distributing element in said casing adapted to `successively cooperate with said terminals, rotatable means for drivably connecting said element to driving means therefor, and fluid pressure pump means in said casing drivably connected to said rotatable conv necting means for operation thereby, the output s side of said pump means being connected to the interior of said casing, said pump means comprising a cylindrical housing xedly mounted in said casing and a rotor eccentrically mounted in said housing and connected to said rotatable means for rotary movement therewith and axial movement relative thereto.

f JAKOB R. FREI. 

